Why does my Fluval 50 just not filter water?

[Stefan3289]

I noticed today that my fluval 50 just wont push out water. I see the water in the tube, I hear the motor going, but no water. I tried filling up the back, but it drains out (no leak but goes back out I assume through the tube into the tank). I turned it off for now but I don’t know what to do. I got it about two weeks ago...

 

[Fishmanic]

Do u have a sand substrate? I am wondering if sand got sucked up into the impeller area causing it to jam? Take it apart and check the impeller to see if it is jammed? If so, clean the impeller and the area around it.

 

[Fishmanic]

Also check that intake tube is properly seated.

 

[Fishmanic]

If all else fails, call Hagen who manufactures it and ask for a replacement. Or if you bought it on amazon, they will pick it up and send you a new one.

 

[Stefan3289]

I do have sand it is my first tank so that is probably it considering I have a bunch of cories that love messing it up!

 

[Fishmanic]

Well then clean the impeller area. If the intake tube is very close to the substrate, perhaps you could shorten the tube an inch or two if the filter starts working again to prevent it from happening again.

To access the impeller, drain out the housing and then remove motor by giving it a quarter turn.
Normal maintenance requires that the housing and impeller area should be cleaned monthly.

 

[Stefan3289]

First tank with sand *

 

[Tez_20]

I got it about two weeks ago...

Stefan after having 5 tanks now, if your motor doesn't push water out or stops it's the impeller inside like @Fishmanic mentioned as they can jam up quick especially the magnet.

 

[Stefan3289]

I dismantled the filter and cleaned it so now it works perfectly!

 

[Tez_20]

I dismantled the filter and cleaned it so now it works perfectly!

They need regular checks all the time and if you see it slowing down, it's best to do it.

 

[Fishmanic]

You should do a full clean of the filter housing monthly. Service media at least every two weeks.

 

[Stefan3289]

You should do a full clean of the filter housing monthly. Service media at least every two weeks.

By service media do you mean everything inside (bio balls, carbon, and foam)

 

[Essjay]

Wash the media in the tank water you take out at a water change. Wash the filter casing - under the tap is OK for this. Remove the impeller and clean inside the impeller well.

Filter media gets covered in goo (uneaten food, fish poop etc) and this stops the water flowing through the media properly. It should be cleaned off every couple of weeks. The goo also breaks down to ammonia which the filter bacteria turn into nitrate - not cleaning the filter is one cause of high nitrate in a tank.

 

[Fishmanic]

By service media do you mean everything inside (bio balls, carbon, and foam)

rinse media in tank water, no need for carbon unless used to remove meds...if you remove carbon then add another layer of foam

 

[PheonixKingZ]

As @Fishmanic mentioned, something could be stuck in the impeller. I have found everything from snails to sand. Take it apart and clean it really well.